Artificial teeth.



J. A. VAN VLEGK.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1908.

903,343, 7 v Patented N0v.10,1908.

Q vwomt oz wwweooeo W77 V136 l I I I I Vt a GHQ-anew UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAY A. VAN VLEOK, OF GALLIPOLIS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL E. VAN

' VLECK, OF GALLIPOLIS, OHIO.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAY A. VAN VLECK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gallipolis, in the county of Gallia and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Teeth; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in artificial teeth.

The object of the invention is to provide a set of artificial teeth having means whereby the plates of the teeth will be held firmly in engagement with the roof of the mouth, thereby preventing casual removal of the teeth.

With this object in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upper set of false teeth constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same; and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the plate, which may be of the usual or any desired shape and to which are secured the teeth, 2, said teeth being secured in the usual or any approved manner. In the center of the plate is formed an opening, 3, the shape of which is preferably the same as the plate. The opening, 3, may be of any suitable size, but is preferably such as to extend to the jaw-engaging portion of the plate at the front and side portion thereof, and to near the rear edge of the same. In the opening, 3, is secured a flexible or elastic pad, 4,

the edges of which are firmly united with the edges of the opening, and the shape of the pad corresponds to the shape of the plate, and

the lower side of the former lies flush therewith to form a perfectly smooth surface. The upper side of the pad is provided around its outer edge with an upwardly projecting ridge or flange, 5, and in the center of the pad is formed an upwardly projecting ridge or flange, 6, which incloses a space similar in shape to the pad itself, said flanges or ridges thus forming inner and outer air suction chambers, 7 and 8, which, when the teeth are in place, and the plate engaged with the roof of the mouth, will form a tight engagement therewith and thus securely hold the teeth in position.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. An artificial tooth plate having formed therein a centrally disposed opening, an elastic pad fitted in said opening and constructed to form a flexible continuation of the plate, and means to provide inner and outer air suction chambers on said pad whereby the latter is caused to form a firm engagement with the roof of the mouth.

2. A plate for artificial teeth having formed therein, a centrally disposed opening of substantially the same shape as the plate, an elastic pad of corresponding shape and adapted to be fitted into and joined to the edges of said opening to form a flush joint with the underside of the plate and to follow the contour of the latter, and inner and outer continuous ridges on the upper side of said pad to form inner and outer suction chambers.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAY A. VAN VLEOK.

Witnesses:

E. D. DAvIs, S. H. EAGLE. 

